Tunnel Vision: HCMC, Vietnam
My first day in Vietnam and I feel like Iโm on the clock! I only have a limited time on this visa because apparently I didnโt read the dates correctly. Letโs see if I can figure out how to bike the whole coast from HCMC to Hanoi in 3 weeks and well over 2000 kilometers. Sounds easy, right?
But before all that, letโs get some coffee. Yes, more coffee please. Adjust to the chaos, feel the heartbeat of the city, and letโs get moving.
Um, the first cafe I stumbled upon literal steps from my hostel is drop-dead gorgeous. I couldnโt ask for a better vibe to wake up to and write in my journal. Epic start.
Hello, beautiful, I mean Xin chร o!
Quick stop.
Backpacker things.
So hyped on having gum again! Harder to come by then you think!
Only a half day to get the feel today. Off to a tour with my friend Bove who I met in Laos. He is finishing his North to South trip and perfect for asking questions. A 2-4-1 special if you ask me.
We went to the Cu Chi tunnels where the Viet Cong fought their resistance. Crazy experience to see how these people lived in person. The red was the VC controlled area. You can see their tunnels by the green lines within the red section. Absolutely mindblowing.
Tiger trap ๐ชค โฆ
But for people. Yikes.
If you can believe it, the small hole below has been widened for more tourist to fit.
The VC
They made a swinging death trap after the durian too, how fun.
The VC would find unexploded bombs and cut them open for the parts. The scrap could be sold for money or turned into weapons. All of this was done knowing they could potentially blow up. Sometimes they would.
They would cut up old tires to create footwear. Honestly, they look kinda comfortable.
Also, they would wear them backwards so the footprints went the wrong way to confuse the US troops. What a bunch of farmland people could do with what they little they had is remarkable.
Down we go. 100m in a widened tunnel still felt intense and hot. Apparently more people died of disease and sickness from the tunnels then died from American bombing. Who would of thought..
All that craziness just to sell bullet tanks in the end. ๐
Still havenโt even finished the day and had so much to post! The traffic in this city is horrible. Iโve got so much nervous energy for tomorrow, I canโt freakin wait.
Last stop ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ Iโve got a dinner spot.
Bet you didnโt expect this!
Oh-fuck-yes!!!! Bรบn thแปt nฦฐแปng! ๐๐
Got extra spring roll to finish. First day is a wrap. ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ